Tackle stray dog menace in J&K
Amid rise in dog bite incidents, the recent directive of the Supreme Court directing states and union territories to relocate stray dogs and animals from institutional areas and highways is seen as the need of the hour.
The Supreme Court took serious note of the alarming rise in dog bite incidents in institutional areas like educational centres, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, highways and expressways, sports complexes, and directed the authorities to move such canines to designated shelters.
“With regard to the alarming rise in incidents of dog bites within institutional areas, such as educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots and railway stations, this court deems it appropriate to issue the following directions in the interest of public safety, health and management of stray dogs,” the bench said.
It directed states and union territories, through their respective local or municipal authorities, to identify such institutions within two weeks and asked the administrative heads of such institutions to ensure that the premises are secured by adequate fencing, boundary walls, gates and such other structural measures as may be necessary to prevent the ingress of stray dogs.
The top court directed that cattle and other stray animals so picked up shall be kept in appropriate centres or cattle pounds and provided with necessary food, water and veterinary care in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
The Apex Court judgement has been widely welcomed in Jammu and Kashmir which has been witnessing a massive spike in dog bite cases. As per official data, J&K has recorded a staggering 2,12,968 cases of dog bites between 2022 and 2025. Kashmir division tops the list with 1,14,498 cases while Jammu division has reported 98,470 dog bite cases during the three year period.
In the Kashmir division, the summer capital Srinagar topped the list with 36,406 cases, followed by Anantnag 26,453 cases and Baramulla 18,563 cases. Budgam reported 9,382 cases, Kulgam 6,612 cases, Bandipora 5,367 cases, Ganderbal 3,338 cases, Kupwara 3,594 cases, Pulwama 3,426 cases respectively. Shopian district in south Kashmir has lowest cases at 1,357.
Similarly, Jammu district alone reported 54,889 cases followed by Kathua 8,913 cases and Udhampur 8,549 cases. Other districts with significant numbers include Rajouri 5,342 cases, Doda 4,390 cases, Reasi 4,210 cases, Kishtwar 3,662 cases, Samba 3,335 cases, Poonch 2,923 cases and Ramban 2,257 cases respectively.
J&K has witnessed a rise in rabies cases. This year three people including two children died due to rabies in Kulgam district of Kashmir and Rajouri district of Jammu respectively. Medicos say that a timely schedule of vaccines after a dog had bitten these victims, could have saved them. What makes people in J&K more vulnerable to dog bites and rabies is the increasing stray dogs’ population.
Government is struggling under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme amid insufficient facilities and inadequate manpower. This year the ABC programme was started after a halt of 10 months signifying a messy state of affairs.
It is surprising that only 48,998 stray dogs have been sterilised and vaccinated between June 2023 and September 2025 in J&K. The sterilisation drives were carried out by Jammu Municipal Corporation on 13,730 dogs, Srinagar Municipal Corporation on 27,237 dogs and, Urban Local Bodies Kashmir 161 dogs and Urban Local Bodies Jammu 7,870 dogs respectively. There is a massive gap between sterlisation and population growth of dogs. Accountability needs to be fixed for slow sterlisation rate. We must know the heavy price each dog bite victim has to pay!
As per estimates, over one lakh stray dogs are present in Srinagar alone and on an average over 13 people suffer dog bites every day in the district alone. Cases of dog bites rise during reproductive season of dogs as these become aggressive while protecting their newly born puppies.
A study ‘The Lived-In Experience and Psychological Recount of Dog Bite Victims Visiting the Anti-Rabies Clinic in Kashmir: conducted by Department of Community Medicine GMC Srinagar, the situation is alarming. It states that dog bite victims after facing mauling from the dogs, developed a strong inner feeling of psychological and emotional instability.
Experts blame open garbage dumping as one of the major reasons for the increasing population of stray dogs and rising dog bite cases. As per estimates, over 500 metric tons of garbage is generated daily in Srinagar district alone. The problem is compounded in absence of segregation of waste at source and scientific disposal, especially of poultry waste. Garbage dumps have turned into breeding grounds for stray dogs with people, especially children and elderly, bearing the brunt. Authorities have completely failed to ensure scientific garbage collection and disposal.
It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard lives of people. Besides implementation of Supreme Court guidelines to relocate stray dogs from human habitations, it is also the responsibility of the government to take care of animals at designated shelters. People have been paying a heavy price due to growing population of stray dogs in absence of comprehensive sterilisation measures. There is a need to strike a balance between humans and animals, both need due space, protection and care!
Author is Executive Editor,
Greater Kashmir
